UTEP Miners

UTEP Notes | LA Tech Notes | Conference USA Notes

UTEP TO HOST LA TECH ON 'SENIOR DAY'
Twenty-two UTEP senior football players will play their final game in the Sun Bowl as the Miners are set to host LA Tech in a 1 p.m. kickoff on Nov. 18. The senior class will be honored prior to the contest. The Miners (0-10, 0-6 Conference USA) are coming off a 45-10 loss at North Texas, while the Bulldogs (4-6, 2-4 C-USA) are coming off a 48-23 setback against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 11. UTEP junior defensive back Kahani Smith registered his second defensive touchdown of the season at North Texas and became the first Miner since 2007 to score a pair of touchdowns during a campaign. The defense has found paydirt three times this season, its most since 2005. UTEP is looking to end a four-game skid against LA Tech. The Miners and Bulldogs last played in the Sun City during the 2015 campaign. LA Tech edged UTEP, 17-15, as the Miners missed a field goal with under two minutes to play in the game. Despite the Bulldogs being under .500, they are one of five C-USA teams to average over 400 yards of total offense this season.  

SENIOR SENDOFF
Miner fans will see off 22 UTEP football seniors on Saturday. The class includes: WR Tyler Batson, DB Devin Cockrell, OL Derek Elmendorff, QB Zack Greenlee, OL Will Hernandez, FB David Jackson, LB Julian Jackson, DB Alex Jean Charles, LB Alvin Jones, LB Johnny Jones, WR Dylan Kittrell, DL Sky Logan, LB Dante Lovilotte, K/P Alan Luna, LB Lawrence Montegut, DB Jesse Montgomery, WR Jean-Andre Moore, WR Brandon Moss, TE Sterling Napier, WR Nesly Ovincy, OL Tanner Stallings and OL Logan Tuley-Tillman. Of the 22 seniors, five graduated from high schools in El Paso. That list includes: Elmendorff (Franklin), D. Jackson (Parkland), A. Jones (Burges), Luna (Franklin) and Moss (Chapin).

SERIES HISTORY
LA Tech leads the series 10-2-1, having won eight of the last nine meetings since 1991. UTEP is 0-4 versus the Bulldogs since they joined C-USA. The Miners have never beaten a team coached by Skip Holtz. They are 0-7 since 2007 (0-2 when he was at East Carolina, 0-1 at USF, 0-4 at LA Tech). UTEP last defeated LA Tech on Oct. 23, 2004 in Ruston by the score of 44-27. UTEP is 1-5-1 versus LA Tech in games played in the Sun City (0-5 in the Sun Bowl). The Miners' lone win in El Paso against the Bulldogs came on Nov. 18, 1939 – a 27-0 victory.

THE LAST MEETING
Jarred Craft rushed for 146 yards, including a game-changing 70-yard score early in the fourth quarter, as LA Tech pulled away down the stretch for a 28-7 win over UTEP on Oct. 1, 2016 in Ruston. Making his first start for the Miners since the 2015 season finale, quarterback Ryan Metz gave the offense a lift before taking a blow to the head with about nine minutes left in the game. UTEP trailed 21-7 at that point and was facing fourth and three at the Bulldog 22-yard line.  Zack Greenlee came in and threw an incomplete pass to Hayden Plinke, who had 66 yards receiving. LA Tech put the game away with a 12-play, 78-yard drive, capped by a nine-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Higgins to Trent Taylor with 1:29 remaining. Higgins completed 19-of-28 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns, and Taylor snared 10 balls for 121 yards and a score. Metz finished 20-of-28 for 215 yards with a touchdown and an interception for UTEP. The Miner defense forced LA Tech to punt on four consecutive possessions before breaking down on Craft's long run. Before that, UTEP trailed 14-7 after Metz engineered a 15-play, 58-yard scoring drive.  He connected with Plinke for a 10-yard TD with 14:55 to play to make it a one possession game. Aaron Jones rushed 20 times for 94 yards. The Miners outgained the Bulldogs, 415 yards to 387, but committed two turnovers to LA Tech's zero. UTEP was also penalized six times for 55 yards while LA Tech had two penalties for 12 yards.

CONNECTIONS
UTEP DB Kalon Beverly and LA Tech LB Quanta Moore both played at Edna Karr High School in New Orleans. There are 22 Bulldogs on the current roster from Texas.

ABOUT LA TECH
The Bulldogs (4-6, 2-4 Conference USA) lost their second consecutive game, 48-23, to Conference USA juggernaut Florida Atlantic on Nov. 11 in Ruston. LA Tech fell 24-23 to North Texas the week before. The Bulldogs have three one-point losses on the year, including at South Carolina on Sept. 23 (17-16) and at UAB on Oct. 7 (23-22). Their two C-USA victories came against WKU (23-22) and at Rice (42-28). Despite its record, the LA Tech offense moves the ball, averaging 404.2 yards of total offense (ranked fifth in C-USA) and 28.3 points per game (ranked fourth in C-USA and 66th in the FBS). The Bulldogs average 247.7 passing yards per game (ranking fourth in C-USA and 49th in the FBS) as J'Mar Smith is ranked 29th in the FBS with his 2,454 passing yards. Smith is completing 57 percent of his passes (192-337) and has tossed 11 scores with four interceptions. The Bulldogs average 156.5 rushing yards per game. Boston Scott leads the team and is ranked ninth in C-USA in rushing yards per game (66.5), while gaining 665 yards on 121 carries (5.5 avg.) with seven rushing scores. Scott also ranks eighth in the league in all-purpose yards per game (100.4). Jarred Craft ranks second on the team with 501 yards on 110 carries (4.6 avg.) and has rushed for three touchdowns. Teddy Veal leads C-USA with 62 receptions, while ranking second in receptions per game (6.2). Veal has gained 745 receiving yards (ranked fourth in C-USA) with four scores. Veal is one of two C-USA players to return a punt for a touchdown and is averaging 9.4 yards on 11 punt returns (103 yards). Rashid Bonnette stretches the field with his 18.3 yards per catch. Bonnette has hauled in 25 receptions for 457 yards and two scores. LA Tech ranks eighth in C-USA in total defense (410.7), 10th in rushing defense (185.5) and fourth in pass defense (225.2).  LA Tech has intercepted the ball 12 times, ranking tied for second in C-USA with UAB. S Secdrick Cooper leads the defense with 54 tackles and has picked off a pair of passes. CB Amik Robertson leads the team with eight passes defended and has registered two interceptions. LB Dae'Von Washington is ranked second in tackles (50) and has also recorded two interceptions. DE Jaylon Ferguson leads the squad with 4.0 sacks and has tallied 31 tackles. LA Tech ranks third in C-USA in fourth down conversions (57.1 percent), converting 8-of-14. The Bulldogs also rank second in C-USA in turnover margin (+6).

LAST WEEK
North Texas quarterback Mason Fine threw four scores, Jeffery Wilson rushed for 144 yards with a touchdown and North Texas took care of UTEP, 45-10, on Nov. 11 at Apogee Stadium. The Miners' offense struggled again, gaining 231 yards and 15 first downs to the Mean Green's 472 yards of total offense and 27 first downs. But after the Miners battled in the first half, finding themselves down 14-7, the Mean Green outscored their opponent 31-3 in the second half. The contest started positive as the Miners took a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter when senior Alvin Jones forced his third fumble of the season. Junior Kahani Smith scooped up the loose ball and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown to quiet the raucous crowd of 26,108. It was Smith's second touchdown of the season and the third overall for the UTEP defense in 2017. The Mean Green, however, answered as Fine and Jaelon Darden engineered a 14-7 lead. The first score came with 48 seconds remaining in the first quarter when Fine tied the contest on a 13-yard pass to Darden. After a tight second quarter, UTEP was called for pass interference, putting the ball at the two-yard line. Fine hooked up with Darden for the second time on a short toss with just over two minutes remaining in the first half. The UTEP defense got off to a sluggish start in the second half as North Texas opened the period with a 75-yard scoring drive on eight plays, resulting in a Wilson one-yard touchdown to make the score 21-7. The Miners helped the Mean Green with 31 penalty yards on the drive. The first penalty came on a facemask after Wilson gained 10 yards on the first play. Two plays later, the Miners were called for roughing the passer, moving the ball to the UTEP 31-yard line. Prior to Wilson's score, passing interference was called in the end zone to set up the short run. The offense showed signs of life after UTEP scored on its first possession of the second half. Zack Greenlee, on a first-and-10 from the UTEP 39, threw up a jump ball as he was being rushed, only for Warren Redix to come down with the ball against a pair of defenders for a gain of 34 yards to the North Texas 27-yard line. Following an incomplete pass, Greenlee used a career-long 15-yard dash to get to the 12-yard line after almost being sacked. But the Miners could only muster three more yards and settled for a Jason Filley 27-yard field goal (21-10). With the score 28-10 following a Rico Bussey 60-yard touchdown pass from Fine, the Mean Green put the game away at the start of the fourth quarter after Fine completed his fourth touchdown pass, this time to Jalen Guyton on a two-yard toss, making the score 35-10. Smith had a nice game as he registered a career-best nine tackles to go along with his touchdown. Senior Devin Cockrell recorded eight tackles, while Julian Jackson and Jones had seven stops each. Eddie Sinegal, who entered the game with five catches, led the Miners with six receptions (tied career best) for 38 yards. Terry Juniel tallied four receptions for 38 yards. Fine was effective as the sophomore finished 23-of-35 passing for 213 yards (154.5 rating) and Wilson racked up another 58 yards on seven receptions to go with his 144 rushing yards. Bussey led the Mean Green with 65 yards on three catches.

INJURY BUG
The 2017 version of the Miners has suffered multiple injuries throughout the season, whether it be season-ending or missing at least one game. Nine Miners have suffered season-ending injuries: DL Christian Buckingham (ACL at Army), WR Alan Busey (shoulder at OU), DL Luke Elsner (shoulder vs. Rice), WR/KR Keynan Foster (knee at NM State), OL Greg Long (broken foot vs. Rice), TE David Lucero (broken hand vs. UTSA), DB Khalil Rashaad-Brown (achilles at OU), LB Sione Tupou (shoulder prior to camp) and LB Jayson VanHook (shoulder vs. Rice). Twelve other Miners have missed at least one game: DB Devin Cockrell (one game, hamstring), OL Darron Gatewood (one game, MCL sprain), QB Zack Greenlee (one game, ankle), OL Ruben Guerra (one game, concussion), DB Michael Lewis (one game, ankle), QB Ryan Metz (four games, shoulder), DB Jesse Montgomery (five games, quad), TE Sterling Napier (one game, concussion), LB Dylan Parsee (one game, ankle), DL Mike Sota (one game, concussion), TE Josh Weeks (six games, foot) and RB Quardraiz Wadley (five games, knee, shoulder, collar bone).

REVOLVING DOOR ON OFFENSE
The UTEP offense hasn't had much stability in 2017. Only three players on offense have started every game and all three are senior linemen – LT Logan Tuley-Tillman, LG Will Hernandez and RG Derek Elmendorff. Four different tailbacks have started in 2017: Walter Dawn Jr. (three games), Kevin Dove (three games), Quardraiz Wadley (three games) and Joshua Fields (one game). The quarterbacks have pretty much been flip-flopping as Zack Greenlee recently started at North Texas along with four other games (vs. Arizona, vs. WKU, at Southern Miss, vs. UTSA). Ryan Metz has made five starts (at OU, vs. Rice, at NM State, at Army, at Middle Tennessee). Seven different UTEP WRs have made at least one start in 2017: Tyler Batson (nine starts), Kavika Johnson (five starts), Erik Brown (four starts), Terry Juniel (two starts), Warren Redix (one start), Keynan Foster (one start) and Eddie Sinegal (one start). Four different TEs have made starts: Sterling Napier (six starts), Augie Touris (five starts), David Lucero (one start) and Josh Weeks (one start).

THE CENTURY MARK
Senior LB Alvin Jones has a team-leading 80 tackles this season and with two games left, has the opportunity to hit the 100-tackle mark. The last Miner to post 100+ tackles was Josh Fely in 2012 with 112 stops. From 1986 till 2009, at least one UTEP defensive player registered 100 or more stops.

FORCING THE ISSUE
Heading into 2017, Alvin Jones had not recorded a forced fumble. The senior has forced a trio in the last four games. Jones recently forced a fumble at North Texas on Nov. 11. Jones forced a fumble against UTSA on Oct. 28 and his first career forced fumble came at Southern Miss on Oct. 14. Jones ranks tied for first in Conference USA and tied for seventh in the FBS in forced fumbles.

LEADING TACKLER
Alvin Jones registered seven tackles at North Texas on Nov. 11. Jones currently leads the team in tackles (80) and tackles per game (8.0). Jones ranks tied for seventh in tackles per game (8.0) and in total tackles (80) in Conference USA. Jones's 6.5 tackles for loss lead the team and rank tied for 24th in C-USA. Jones has led the Miners in tackles in each of the last two seasons, recording 93 stops during each campaign.

KEEPING UP WITH ALVIN'S CAREER
Alvin Jones has 321 career tackles, the second-most at UTEP since the 2000 season behind Robert Rodriguez's 443 stops (2001-04), after tallying seven stops at North Texas on Nov. 11. Jones has 12.5 career sacks, ranking tied for ninth with Menson Holloway on the program's top-10 list.  Jones's 36.0 career tackles for loss are the most since 2000 and rank third on the program's all-time list as Barron Wortham leads the all-time list with 45.0 tackles for loss and Gonzalo Floyd ranks second (41.0 TFL). Jones's 14.5 tackles for loss in 2015 rank tied for ninth on the single-season list, while his 5.0 tackles for loss at NM State on Sept. 19, 2015 were the most by a UTEP player since the 2000 season. Jones has led the Miners in tackles the past two seasons, tallying 93 stops in each campaign, while in 2014 Jones ranked second with 55 takedowns.

BACK-TO-BACK DOUBLE-DIGIT TACKLES
Alvin Jones registered back-to-back games of double-digit tackles after reaching 12 against WKU on Oct. 7 and 10 more at Southern Miss on Oct. 14. It's his first back-to-back effort since racking up 16 at Rice on Nov. 19 and 12 tackles against North Texas to close out the 2016 season. Back in 2015, Jones recorded 11 stops three games in a row (vs. Rice, at Old Dominion, vs. LA Tech).

MORE DOUBLE-DIGIT STOPS
Alvin Jones has reached double digits in tackles 12 times during his career after his 10-tackle output on Oct. 14 at Southern Miss. Jones's first double-digit performance came against UTSA on Oct. 3, 2015 with a 10-tackle outing. Jones racked up 11 tackles in four other contests in 2015 (at NM State; vs. Rice; at Old Dominion; vs. LA Tech). In 2016, Jones registered double-digit tackles, including his career high of 16 stops, in four contests (12 vs. NM State; 16 vs. FIU; 16 at Rice; 12 vs. North Texas). Jones registered a season-high 15 tackles against Arizona on Sept. 15, his first double-digit effort in 2017 and 12 stops against WKU on Oct. 7.

300+ TACKLES
Alvin Jones became the 14th player to tally over 300 tackles in a career at UTEP after being credited with 10 stops at Southern Miss on Oct. 14. Jones joins Barron Wortham, the all-time leader with 566 tackles, Doug Morgan (523), Tony Perea (459), Raymond Morris (458), Robert Rodriguez (443), Michael Comer (437), Fred Carr (410), Hal Barnett (407) Pete Shufelt (385 tackles), Fred Williams (375), Dale Kirry (335), Seth Joyner (325) and Brian Young (322) in the 300-tackle club.

ALVIN THE BALL HAWK
Alvin Jones amassed 15 tackles, a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss against Arizona on Sept. 15, the second-most stops in his career. Jones' career high is 16 tackles twice. The first came against FIU on Oct. 8, 2016 in the Sun Bowl, and Jones followed with another 16-tackle performance at Rice on Nov. 19, 2016.

LOVE FOR LOVILOTTE
Since transferring to UTEP, senior LB Dante Lovilotte has produced tackles for the Miners. Lovilotte ranked second on the team in tackles (89) last season and currently ranks second in 2017 with 58 stops after registering six tackles at North Texas on Nov. 11. Lovilotte registered his first full sack at no. 7 Oklahoma to open the season. Lovilotte tied his career best with a season-high 11 tackles against Rice on Sept. 9. At NM State, Lovilotte registered 2.5 tackles for loss, a quarterback hurry and two pass breakups.

ACTION JACKSON
Graduate student LB Julian Jackson tallied a career-high eight tackles against WKU on Oct. 7. Jackson's eight stops against the Hilltoppers is also tied for his college career high. Jackson, a transfer from Wake Forest, recorded seven tackles in each of his first three games in a UTEP uniform. Jackson added another seven-tackle effort at North Texas on Nov. 11. Jackson's 50 total tackles rank third on the UTEP defense. Jackson recorded his first pass breakup against Arizona, recorded half a tackle for loss at no. 7 OU and has registered a pair of quarterback hurries.

TREYVON MAKING THE ADJUSTMENT TO LB
In only his second game at the LB position, sophomore Treyvon Hughes tied for the team lead with a career-high 11 tackles against Rice on Sept. 9. Hughes registered three stops in his defensive debut at no. 7 Oklahoma in week one. Hughes made his first career start on either side of the ball at Army on Sept. 30. Hughes responded with eight tackles to tie for the team lead against the Black Knights. Hughes came to UTEP as a running back and missed last season due to injury. He was switched to linebacker prior to the Annual Spring Game this past year. Hughes has 35 tackles on the season.

DC'S IMPACT
Senior DB Devin Cockrell recorded his first interception at Southern Miss in the first quarter on Oct. 14. It was his first of 2017 and first since picking off a pass at Rice on Nov. 24, 2014. Cockrell has three interceptions in his career as his first pick came at Middle Tennessee in the 2013 season finale.

MORE ON COCKRELL
Devin Cockrell missed all of 2015 due to a season-ending injury. Since his return to the gridiron, Cockrell led all UTEP defensive back in tackles (58) in 2016, while chipping in with 3.0 tackles for loss, a breakup, a quarterback hurry and a fumble recovery. In 2017, Cockrell ranks fifth on the team in tackles (49) after recording eight at North Texas on Nov. 11. Cockrell has also registered 4.0 tackles for loss, a sack, a pair of breakups, three hurries and an interception.

ANOTHER ONE
Junior DB Kahani Smith registered his second defensive touchdown in 2017, this time at North Texas on Nov. 11. Smith scooped up a forced fumble and returned it 45 yards to paydirt against the Mean Green. Smith scored his first defensive touchdown at Army on Sept. 30 – a 52-yard pick-six on a tipped pass.

SMITH'S CAREER DAY
On top of scoring his second defensive touchdown of 2017, Kahani Smith registered a career-high nine tackles at North Texas on Nov. 11. It surpasses his total of five against Arizona earlier this season.

GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION
Kahani Smith, a transfer from Riverside Community College, has impressed thus far. Smith is tied for the team lead with two interceptions, including a 52-yard pick-six at Army. Smith has also registered 32 tackles with a breakup and a fumble recovery that was returned 45 yards for a touchdown.

OTHER RIVERSIDE STANDOUTS
Riverside Community College, which could also be known as Defensive Back U, has produced solid players for UTEP the last few seasons. Kahani Smith joins a pair of fellow Riverside CC transfers who have made big plays for the Miners. Smith scored his second defensive touchdown of 2017 at North Texas. Defensive backs Jameel Erving and Nick Gathrite transferred to UTEP prior to the 2013 season. The pair made big plays their second year with the Miners in 2014, as Gathrite returned a fumble 59 yards for a score against Southern Miss and Erving made the biggest play of 2014, tipping a pass and intercepting it in the process to clinch UTEP's first winning season in nine years and bowl appearance in four years.

SMITH & SMITH AT APOGEE
Kahani Smith is the second Smith in as many games to score a defensive touchdown at Apogee Stadium in Denton, Texas. Kahani scored on a fumble recovery on Nov. 11, while Dashone Smith intercepted a pass and took it 65 yards for a touchdown on Nov. 28, 2015.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE
Kahani Smith is only the second Miner since Quintin Demps in 2007 to register two defensive touchdowns in a single season. Smith had a scoop-and-score (45 yards) at North Texas (Nov. 11) and a pick-six (52 yards) at Army (Sept. 30). Demps took a pair of 100-yard interceptions to the house in 2007; the first was at NM State on Sept. 15 and the second at UCF on Nov. 24.

3 DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS
The UTEP defense has scored three defensive touchdowns in 2017, two by Kahani Smith and one by Trace Mascorro. It's the most since scoring a trio of defensive touchdowns in 2005 – two interceptions for scores by Joe Fleskoski and Josh Ferguson and a fumble return for a score by Jeremy Jones.

BACK-2-BACK GAMES WITH A DEFENSIVE TD
In back-to-back weeks, the UTEP defense scored a touchdown. The first came from Trace Mascorro at NM State on Sept. 23 on a scoop-and-score for 26 yards. Kahani Smith followed with a pick-six at Army on Sept. 30. The last time the Miners went back-to-back games with a defensive score was in 2014 – a Jimmy Musgrave 19-yard pick-six at UTSA on Oct. 25, and two scores against Southern Miss on Nov. 1 in El Paso when Trey Brown went 51 yards on an interception and a Nick Gathrite 59-yard fumble return. Prior to 2014, the 2008 season was the last time the Miners scored defensive touchdowns in consecutive games. Anthony Morrow took an interception 27 yards to the end zone and Robert Soleyjacks returned a fumble 24 yards for a score against NM State (9/20/08). The next week, Josh Ferguson scored on a 45-yard fumble return and Dane O'Neil recovered a fumble in the end zone against UCF (9/27/08).

IN THE NIK OF TIME
Junior DB Nik Needham registered his first interception of the season, a pick in the end zone at Middle Tennessee on Nov. 11. It was his first since picking off a pass against Florida Atlantic in 2015. Needham also recorded a career-high 2.0 tackles for loss at Southern Miss on Oct. 14. Needham chipped in with four tackles and recorded his seventh pass breakup of the season. Needham, after registering seven stops at North Texas on Nov. 11, has tallied 50 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss (eight yards), a sack (three yards) and a fumble recovery. Needham leads all UTEP defensive backs in tackles, leads the team in passes defended (nine) and ranks second on the team in tackles for loss.

HIGH 5
Nik Needham turned in a record-breaking performance against WKU on Oct. 7 with a career-high five pass breakups against the Hilltoppers. Needham's performance is tied for most all-time at UTEP with Wesley Miller, who recorded five pass breakups at Rice on Oct. 26, 2013.

NEEDHAM'S CAREER BREAKUPS
Nik Needham, after registering a pass breakup at North Texas, now has eight in 2017. Needham's 24 career breakups rank tied for second on the program's all-time list with Robert Murray, Anthony Hooks, Cornelious Brown, D.J. Walker and Quintin Demps. Jahmal Fenner leads the all-time list with 25 in his career.

THE BREAKUP
UTEP DB Nik Needham leads the team with eight pass breakups and Kalon Beverly has recorded seven pass breakups. Needham is tied for fourth in Conference USA in passes broken up and tied for fifth with nine passes defended, while Beverly ranks tied for sixth.

BEVERLY & LEWIS PRODUCING SOLID NUMBERS
Junior DB Kalon Beverly and sophomore DB Michael Lewis are turning in solid performances in 2017. Lewis ranks third among all UTEP defensive backs with 47 tackles, while contributing a trio of breakups and a quarterback hurry. Beverly has registered 40 tackles with a forced fumble and 2.5 tackles for loss.

MR. ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD
Sophomore DB Justin Rogers intercepted his second pass of the season against UTSA on Oct. 28. It was Rogers' third career interception and second in the Sun Bowl. He picked off a pass against FIU last season in the Sun City. Rogers is tied for the team lead with two INTs in 2017. He's also chipped in with 30 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, two pass breakups and a quarterback hurry.

JUSTIN-TIME ROGERS
For the second year in a row, sophomore DB Justin Rogers intercepted the first pass of the season for the UTEP defense. Rogers picked off a pass at NM State in the first quarter on Sept. 23. It was Rogers' second career pick. Rogers' first interception came against FIU in the Sun Bowl last season, which was also the first for the Miners' defense in 2016. Rogers tied his career best with five tackles (four solo) and half a tackle for loss against the Aggies.

MIDSEASON ALL-AMERICAN STATUS
Senior OL Will Hernandez was named to the AP Midseason All-America team, chosen by a panel of 16 Top-25 poll voters, on Oct. 17. The guard garnered second team honors through seven games and has racked up 47 starts in four seasons for the Miners. Hernandez is not new to the spotlight, having earned 2017 AP Preseason All-America second team recognition. Last season, the Las Vegas native was the first Miner offensive lineman to receive AP All-American second team and FOX Sports All-American honors. The senior was also the first UTEP offensive lineman since 2009 to earn All-Conference USA first team recognition. Hernandez's national recognition didn't stop there, as he garnered Pro Football Focus Pass Protector of the Year. Hernandez is the only Conference USA student-athlete to earn recognition.

WILL'S PRESEASON ACCOLADES
Will Hernandez was selected to the 2017 AP All-America second team on Aug. 22 as the senior racked up multiple preseason honors. Hernandez was announced to the 2017 Outland Trophy Watch List and earned a spot on the 2017 Preseason Conference USA team. Multiple football publications, including Dave Campbell's Texas Football, Phil Steele's College Football Preview and Athlon Sports had Hernandez on their preseason teams.  

STEADY EDDIE
Sophomore WR Eddie Sinegal made his way back to the starting lineup at North Texas on Nov. 11 and responded by tying his career high with six receptions after entering the contest with five receptions in 2017. Sinegal tied for the team lead with 38 yards against the Mean Green. Sinegal showed flashes of his potential last season as he registered 102 yards on six receptions at LA Tech – the team's only 100-yard receiving game in 2016. Sinegal has caught 11 passes for 73 yards.

SCORING MULTIPLE WAYS
Junior WR Kavika Johnson recorded his first career touchdown catch against WKU on Oct. 7 as he joined a rare club of Miners who have scored a touchdown rushing, receiving and throwing. Johnson has thrown for four scores and has rushed for one (2015 at North Texas) during his career. Johnson joins Aaron Jones, Lorne Sam, Marcus Thomas and Omar Duarte as Miners who have accounted for a touchdown three ways since the 1998 season.

TD PASSES BY NON-QUARTERBACKS
Seven active non-quarterbacks have thrown touchdown passes in their college careers. WR Kavika Johnson has thrown four touchdowns during his career. Texas WR Jerrod Heard has five in his career, while Boston College WR Jeff Smith and WKU WR Nacarius Fant each have thrown three. Fresno State RB Josh Hokit, Troy WR John Johnson and Western Michigan WR Keishawn Watson each have two in their careers. However, Heard, Kavika Johnson and Smith were quarterbacks at one point during their respective college careers and threw at least one of their touchdowns while still at quarterback before switching positions.

FILLEY'S FOOT
Junior walk-on K/P Jason Filley connected on his second career field goal at North Texas on Nov. 11. Filley scored four points against North Texas as he was also good on a PAT attempt. Filley, a native of El Paso and Coronado High School graduate, made a 27-yard attempt against the Mean Green. This comes after hitting a 26-yard attempt at Middle Tennessee the week before. Filley got his first collegiate action against UTSA on Oct. 28, in which he was good on a pair of extra points. Filley is 2-for-2 on field goals and 3-for-3 on extra points in 2017.

DAS BOOT
El Paso native Alan Luna is ranked second in the nation in punt yards (3,025) after the senior punted six times for 267 yards (44.5) with a season-high boot of 65 yards at North Texas on Nov. 11. Luna's 43.8-yard average ranks 24th in the FBS and second in Conference USA. Luna is ranked second in total punts (69) and punt yards (3,025) in C-USA. Nationally, Luna ranks third in total punts.

LUNA CAREER NOTES
Senior Alan Luna moved to third on the program's all-time list in career punt yards (8,452) and is ranked fourth in career punts (196). Lance Brownlee ranks no. 3 in career punts (204), while the overall leader is Jerry Walker (298). Bryce Benekos ranks no. 3 in career yards (10,468), while the overall leader is Walker (12,193). Luna's career high for yards is 414 at Middle Tennessee (Nov. 4, 2017). His longest is a 69-yard boot, while his career-best average is 51.0 yards on six punts (306) against Southern Miss (Sept. 24, 2016). Luna booted his second-longest career punt, a 65-yard kick at North Texas (Nov. 11, 2017). In week two against Rice this season, Luna registered a 63-yard boot, the third-longest of his career, while his fourth-longest went 61 yards at Old Dominion in 2015. Luna has three games during his career in which he's placed three punts inside the 20-yard line -- at LA Tech [Oct. 1 2016], at no. 7 Oklahoma [Sept. 2, 2017], and at Middle Tennessee [Nov. 4, 2017]).

TERRY'S SPECIAL EFFORT
Junior WR/KR Terry Juniel resumed returning kickoffs after an injury to Keynan Foster and responded with a career-long 59-yard return at Southern Miss on Oct. 14, a 49-yard return (second-longest of career) at Middle Tennessee on Nov. 4, a 41-yard dash against UTSA on Oct. 28 and career highs in kickoff return yards (105) and returns (six) at Army, including a game long of 35 yards on Sept. 30. Juniel's previous highs were four returns for 76 yards at no. 11 Texas in 2016. After returning a trio of kickoffs for 87 yards (29.0 avg.) at Middle Tennessee, Juniel is averaging 23.9 yards on 18 returns (431 yards) in 2017. Juniel averaged just over 18 yards per return last season. Juniel ranks tied for third in Conference USA in kickoff return average and ranks fifth in return yards.

ACTIVE SAMMUT
Junior LS Jake Sammut was active at Middle Tennessee on Nov. 4 as he tallied his first career tackles (two) and downed a punt inside the 20-yard line. Sammut, a transfer from College of Canyons, is listed at 5-foot-8, 170 pounds but has shown the ability to play big.

VILES' FIRST KICK WAS A LONG ONE
Brady Viles' first field goal was a 53-yarder. It's the longest first made field goal by a Miner since at least 1960. Viles is one of three Miners to hit a 50-plus yard field goal on their first try since 1960. Bronko Belichesky's first career field attempt was a made 52-yarder against Pacific on Sept. 15, 1973. Jose Martinez connected on a 51-yarder on Sept. 1, 2007 against New Mexico. Viles' field goal was the longest for the Miners since Dakota Warren connected on a 57-yard kick against NM State on Sept. 18, 2010. Viles played his first year of college football at Arizona Western College, where he connected on 3-of-3 PATs and was used primarily as a kickoff specialist last season.

CATCHING UP WITH COACH PRICE
UTEP Interim Head Coach Mike Price made his 2017 debut against WKU in the 86th Homecoming Game. Price has 48 wins with the Miners, the second most in program history behind Mack Saxon (66 wins). Price led UTEP to back-to-back eigtht-win seasons (2004 & 2005) and a trio of bowl appearances (2004 Ev1.net Houston Bowl, 2005 GMAC Bowl & 2010 New Mexico Bowl).  Price ranks fifth among active FBS coaches in wins.

LOCAL FLAVOR
The 2017 roster features 29 players from the El Pas0/Las Cruces area -- DB Deaumonjae Banks (Chapin), LB Chris Barnwell (Eastlake), WR Brannon Bullitt (Chapin), OL Bobby DeHaro (Montwood), OL Derek Elmendorff (Franklin), RB Joshua Fields (Americas), K/P Jason Filley (Coronado), LB Sergio Gonzalez (El Dorado), FB David Jackson (Parkland), DL Christian Johnson (Parkland), WR Kavika Johnson (Mayfield [Las Cruces]), LB Alvin Jones (Burges), OL Greg Long (Eastwood), LB Erick Lopez (Canutillo), OL Markos Lujan (Americas), P/K Alan Luna (Franklin), OL Rey Mendez (Socorro), QB Ryan Metz (Andress), FB Forest McKee (Onate [Las Cruces]), RB Jonathon Millan (Coronado), WR Brandon Moss (Chapin), DL Josh Ortega (Montwood), DB Elijah Perales (Chapin), OL Jaime Perales (Cathedral), WR Warren Redix (Montwood), WR Richie Rodriguez (Eastwood), WR Eddie Sinegal (Andress), QB Keith Tarango-Lopez (Eastlake) and QB Mark Torrez (Eastwood).

SUN CITY SENSATIONS
Eleven players from El Paso grace the two-deep heading into the LA Tech game. RG Derek Elmendorff, TB Joshua Fields, K/P Jason Filley, FB David Jackson, MIKE Alvin Jones, RG Markos Lujan, K/P Alan Luna, QB Ryan Metz, NT Josh Ortega, WR (X)/KR/PR Warren Redix, and QB Mark Torrez are listed on the two-deep chart. Of the 11, four of the players (Elmendorff, Jones Filley and Luna) are listed no. 1 at their respective positions.

GRADUATE STUDENT-ATHLETES
The UTEP football program has eight student-athletes with degrees for the 2017 season. QB Zack Greenlee, LB Julian Jackson, DL Sky Logan, DB Jesse Montgomery, WR Brandon Moss, TE Sterling Napier, WR Nesley Ovincy and OL Logan Tuley-Tillman are pursuing their Masters of Arts in Leadership Studies. Northwestern has 18 student-athletes with degrees, while Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina and East Carolina each have 14. Toledo has 13; TCU, Alabama, Oregon and Virginia each have 12; Georgia State, Kansas State, Maryland, UCF and USF each have 11; Kent State, Nevada, New Mexico, South Alabama, Texas Tech and West Virginia each have 10; Houston, Iowa State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Rutgers and Temple each have nine; and joining UTEP with eight student-athletes are Auburn, Clemson, Iowa, Kentucky, NC State, Northern Illinois, Ole Miss, Penn State, SMU Syracuse, UAB and WKU.

UP NEXT
UTEP will close out the 2017 campaign at UAB on Nov. 25 at historic Legion Field. The Miners last faced the Blazers on Oct. 16, 2010 in a 21-6 loss in Birmingham. After a two-year absence from college football, the Blazers became bowl eligible in 2017 after their 52-21 victory against Rice on Nov. 11. UAB leads the all-time series against UTEP, 3-1, as the Miners' lone victory came on Nov. 11, 2006 by the score of 36-17 at Legion Field.